Why, what are these modems we speak of? Do they exist? Can I own one? All of these thoughts are floating through the air from you to us, and we hear you.

As long as the modem you buy is on the company’s pre-approved list of devices that work in your particular region, it’s a go, notes Gizmodo. Check out this portalto see what works in your area. The links we found for the non-rental modems didn’t appear to work, however, so just plug the model names into your search engine if that happens to you.

While you can buy the most expensive modem on the list below, which will likely never become obsolete because it’s designed not to, all you absolutely need right now is a DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification version) 2.0 system. As Gizmodo points out, at $42, even if you only use it for a year it’s still cheaper than the approximately $72 in a year you’d be paying TWC just to lease it.

These work in New York, San Diego, and Los Angeles and should also in most other markets as well: